Genetic and phenotypic variation of the malaria vector Anopheles atroparvus in southern Europe.
Malar J
; 10: 5, 2011 Jan 11.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-21223582
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
There is a growing concern that global climate change will affect the potential for pathogen transmission by insect species that are vectors of human diseases. One of these species is the former European malaria vector, Anopheles atroparvus. Levels of population differentiation of An. atroparvus from southern Europe were characterized as a first attempt to elucidate patterns of population structure of this former malaria vector. Results are discussed in light of a hypothetical situation of re-establishment of malaria transmission.METHODS:
Genetic and phenotypic variation was analysed in nine mosquito samples collected from five European countries, using eight microsatellite loci and geometric morphometrics on 21 wing landmarks.RESULTS:
Levels of genetic diversity were comparable to those reported for tropical malaria vectors. Low levels of genetic (0.004CONCLUSIONS:
Levels of population differentiation within An. atroparvus were low and not correlated with geographic distance or with putative physical barriers to gene flow (Alps and Pyrenées). While these results may suggest considerable levels of gene flow, other explanations such as the effect of historical population perturbations can also be hypothesized.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Genetic Variation
/
Anopheles
Limits:
Animals
Country/Region as subject:
Europa
Language:
En
Journal:
Malar J
Journal subject:
MEDICINA TROPICAL
Year:
2011
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Portugal